Smyrna Cemetery Inscriptions

Smyrna Church and Cemetery are located in West Polk just off Hwy 411 about two miles north of its junction with Hwy 64. The church was organized in 1848 and the cemetery established in 1855, and both are still active. As mentioned in the previous article, the Fry family donated the land for the church and cemetery and Margaret Clemmer Smith, the first wife of David Smith is said to have been the first person buried there, but the grave is unmarked. This list is a compilation of the 1940 WPA list by Lawrence McConkey, one published in the Polk County News on April 8, 1992, and updates by Marian Presswood. The News list was done by Beverly Burgess and Carl and Marie Blankenship. Thanks to all for sharing their great work!

And, thanks to the PCH&GS for sharing with us!

Adams Victor Lee - November 1931 / January 6,1984; Pvt. US Army
Allen, Stanley Eugene - January 10, 1944 / August 16, 1984
Ash, Alice W. - May 22, 1935 / May 25, 1935
Ash, Bonnie - July 8, 1926 / living; triple stone with Virgil and Stevie.
Ash, Daniel P. - December 7, 1840 / March 3, 1907
Ash, Julia Kinser - 1885 / 1974
Ash Martha J. - August 27, 1850 / January 24, 1894; double stone with Daniel P.
Ash, Mary C. - January 16,1916 / June 29, 1979
Ash, Samuel Austin - March 10, 1911 / March 21, 1992
Ash, Stevie Ray - December 10, 1957 / October 20, 1982; triple stone w/ Virgil & Bonnie
Ash, Virgil - February 9, 1916 / living.
Ash, Wayne Lester - April 17, 1913 / December 29, 1990
Ash, William L. - 1884 / 1961 Barnes, Delia - January 4, 1882 / January 26, 1882
Barnes, Ida B. - October 26, 1880 / December 12, 1898
Barnes, Ira B. - July 27, 1887 / September 30, 1906
Barnes, Valley L. - August 2, 1879 / July 31, 1880
Bates, John F. - October 27, 1913 / January 18, 1920; s/o C. E & S. E. Bates
Bates, Saphronia E. Armor - January 18, 1893 / November 23, 1918; w/o C. E. Bates
Blackwell, Emma Guy - June 10, 1870 / November 27, 1966
Blankinship, A. B. - July 10, 1840 / May 22, 1902
Blankinship, D. E. - September 12, 1832 / July 22, 1916
Blankinship, David E. - September 30, 1866 / August 12, 1867
Blankinship, Elmira - September 12, 1815 / October 25, 1878; w/o James Blankinship
Blankinship, James - June 15, 1809 / August 10, 1879
Blankinship. Laura Collins - January 21, 1871 / June 22, 1872; d/o David E.
Blankinship, Nancy J. Wann - August 2, 1839 / June 11, 1898; w/o D. E. Blankinship
Brown, Charley J. - April 24, 1892 / January 19, 1950
Brown, Daina L. - January 23, 1960 / November 11, 1960
Brown, James Edward - b/d May 8, 1947
Brown, Lillie - January 3, 1898 / April 17, 1970
Brown, Ray M. - October 26, 1961 / November 26, 1961; twin of Robert M.
Brown, R. H. - August 4, 1855 / May 30, 1930
Brown, Robert M. - b/d October 26, 1961
Brown, Mrs. A. L. - September 18, 1867 / April 10, 1917
Byers, Caroline - October 19, 1852 / March 30, 1918
Byers, Lucius L. - 1851 / 1893
Byers, Lydia - July 18, 1905 / April 19, 1988
Byers, Robert L. - July 4, 1886 / October 5, 1981
Cabrera, Frances M. - May 3, 1931 / November 6,1997
Cabrera, Janie Paulette - August 2, 1948 / November 7, 1951
Cabrera, Paul A. - September 28, 1919 / February 5, 1988; TEC 5 US Army WW II
Cate, Mary I. - July 22, 1850 / October 5, 1855; d/o J. B. & T. b.
Cates Cate, Tanzy B. - November 16, 1806 / December 10, 1874; w/o John B.
Cate Cavett, David - November 11, 1924 / July 27, 1998
Cavett, Glata T. - June 12, 1915; living; mother of Mary Ruth, Charles Ray and Ronald Wayne
Cavett, James W. - September 30, 1914 / January 2, 1987; f/o Mary Ruth, Ray and Ronald
Cavett, Mary Sue - December 28, 1923 / November 7, 1969; w/o David
Chatman, Artie - December 25, 1885 / October 2, 1967
Chatman, L. C. - June 15, 1872 / November 30, 1960
Chatman, Oscar - September 3, 1906 / November 9, 1930
Coleman, Alford - October 13, 1856 / June 4, 1891
Coleman, Doss B. - August 10, 1908 / October 12,1944; Pvt. 3 Sig. TN GBN
Coleman, Jane - December 5, 1890 / November 22, 1946
Coleman, John M. - June 24, 1883 / August 5, 1960
Craig, Gary Eugene - July 17, 1964 / July 22, 1977
Crewse, Julia Ann - September 16, 1880 / July 22,1977
Crumley, Charles A. - July 26, 1893 / December 13, 1965
Crumley, Florence - April 7, 1894 / December 10, 1984
Deering, M. Lucille - June 14, 1902 / January 5, 1990
Deering, Vernon D. - August 23, 1905 / June 30, 1957
Dixon, Artie Haulk - September 22, 1914 / living
Dixon, Wayne - July 29, 1910 / May 10, 1974
Dixson, Adrie - 1887 / 1954
Dixson, Erwin Wesley - b/d November 2, 1937; s/o M & M Chass
Dixson Enriques, Grady F. - December 7, 1919 / Sept.20, 1970; M/S TEC 5 Co. K 321 Inf. WW II
Enriques, Isabell Ash - January 29, 1923 / living; w/o Grady
Enriques, Jakie - January 18, 1948 / June 25, 1968; SP 4 Svc Btry 4 How BN 18 Art.
Fetzer, Isaac A. - October 15, 1834 / February 23, 1899
Fetzer, Loma J. - November 30, 1857 / April 30, 1860
Fetzer, Tamsey P. - March 9, 1835 / February 20, 1918
Franks, Earl W. - June 25, 1942 / September 5, 1967
Freeman, Stephen Ray - March 22, 1951 / October 1, 1953
Fry, Annie Cates - May 16, 1811 / June 3, 1888; w/o J. H. Fry
Fry, James Harve - August 25, 1807 / May 13, 1882 (donated land for cemetery)
Goldston, Edna Mae - July 25, 1912 / July 27, 1975
Goldston, Elihue - May 4, 1889 / July 27, 1952
Goldston, Infant - b/d July 1913 or 1923, (marker is broken)
Goldston, Randall Lewis - July 16, 1955 / December 1, 1955
Griffin, Sanders - 1810 / June 11, 1894
Hagler, J. W. - December 8, 1891 / January 28, 1892; s/o T. J. & M. A. Hagler
Hall, Lee - 1837 / November 2, 1908
Harbison, Ruth Haulk - April 5, 1926 / February 19, 1983
Harmon, Mary Smith - died about 1886
Haulk, Ada Bishop - June 1, 1907 / November 4, 1993
Haulk, Callie Lemons - April 25, 1897 / September 24, 1991; w/o Riley Benson
Haulk Haulk, Carl - February 24, 1896 / February 28, 1946
Haulk, Charles David - March 9, 1969 / September 30, 1973
Haulk, David - February 18, 1939 / March 2, 1939
Haulk, Debbie Dilbeck - February 4, 1896 / October 26, 1977
Haulk, Etheleen - February 22, 1924 / July 22, 1940
Haulk, Harlan - October 6, 1907 / March 30, 1932
Haulk, Howard - March 11, 1911 / June 5, 1987
Haulk, Infant - b/d February 4, 1945 Haulk, Lester - August 16, 1930 / January 16, 1962; SP 3 Btry C 62 AAA BN
Haulk, Lillian - April 11, 1928 / September 14, 1930
Haulk, Minerva - August 13, 1870 / April 7, 1932; age 60 years, 9 months, 15 days
Haulk, Riley Benson, Sr. - May 21, 1891 / August 10, 1974; double stone with Callie Lemons
Haulk, Riley Benson, Jr. - May 28, 1930 / June 12, 1969
Haulk, William - June 28, 1863 / April 3, 1937; age 73 years, 7 months, 5 days
Hethcox, Dineen Dixson Kell - July 28, 1966 / November 2, 1987; w/o Marcus Dixson
Hethcox, Marcus Anthony - July 26, 1961 / November 3, 1987; m. October 1987
Hotalen, Clifford Paul - December 5, 1908 / September 2, 1986; T Sgt US Army WW II
Hotalen, Lillian P. - March 17, 1909 / July 14, 1973
Howard, George H. - April 30, 1891 / March 23, 1972
Howard, John - Co. B 9th TN Cav. (Civil War)
Howard, Leona W. - September 8, 1893 / January 8, 1971
Howard, Marla Ruth Lee Ann - b/d May 27, 1980; d/o Edna & Albert Howard
Howard, Rebecca - February 23, 1868 / February 19, 1922
Howard, Stella M. - b/d September 6, 1911
Johnson, Christina - died June 16, 1925; age 49 years, 4 months, 2 days
Johnson, Isiac Franklin - June 10, 1856 / March 9, 1924
Johnson, Lisa Lynn - b/d December 20, 1960; our baby
Jones, A. J. - died September 13, 1937; age 7 years, 3 months, 3 days
Keith, Jeffrey Allen - b/d August 27, 1964; Our Darling Baby
Kersey, Frank Luther - September 22, 1917 / August 20, 1965
Kersey, Frank Lynn - November 17, 1963 / November 28, 1969; s/o Frank Luther Kersey
Key, Timothy Marvin - November 19, 1969 / November, 20, 1969
Kimbrough, Eliza T. - January 18, 1822 / December 10, 1867; w/o Elisha Kimbrough
Kimbrough, Hannah Isabel Smith - May 26, 1851 / January 8, 1878; w/o W. P. Kimbrough
Kimbrough, Infant - b/d 1876; d/o Mr. & Mrs. W. P. Kimbrough
Kimbrough, Katherine - October 2, 1853 / May 26, 1941; w/o W. P. Kimbrough
Kimbrough, W. P. - December 4, 1850 / March 9, 1922
Kinser, Evelyn Mercitah - September 12, 1923 / living Kinser, Jacob L. - January 18, 1865 / July 1, 1955
Kinser, Jacob Louis - June 1, 1921 / November 28, 1984
Kinser, Jerry Donavon - January 16, 1944 / July 3, 1944
Kinser, Lawrence - July 9, 1884 / November 10, 1911 Kinser, Mary - 1940-1999
Kinser, Roy G. -b/d January 1935
Kinser, Stamper - October 1, 1971 / July 17, 1941
Kinser, Wilma L. - b/d October 1930
Lawson, Jason Lee - b/d April 29, 1972; s/o Charles & Myrtle Lawson
Ledford, Brenda Sue - b/d July 7, 1949
Ledford, David LaBron - December 16, 1970 / May 24, 1975
Ledford, J. Clarence - December 30, 1916 / November 7, 1999; d/s w/ Waunetta
Ledford, Waunetta - May 5, 1917 / living; w/o J. Clarence
Lewis, Clifford - January 21, 1914 / October 7, 1983; Father
Lewis, Larry Lynn - May 29, 1945 / January 12, 1992
Lewis, Nettie C. - August 27, 1912 /living; Mother; w/o Clifford Lewis
L. M. D. - born February 4, 1933 (stone near Kinser plot.)
Lowery, Delilah Edith - June 13, 1911 / November 13, 1916
Lowery, Lt. B. Frank - April 2, 1905 / July 20 1931
Lowery, Mabel - February 14, 1900 / October 27, 1971
Lowery, Octavia Cain - October 5, 1876 / December 10, 1912
Lowery, Thomas W. - November 14, 1868 / March 22, 1952
Mason, Edwin - December 23, 1810 / June 12, 1886 Mason, Susannah - July 15, 1810 / July 9, 1889; w/o Edwin Mason
McAllister, Otto Kenenth - December 28, 1912 / May 19, 1993; m. May 30, 1936
McAllister, Ressie M. Ash - November 25, 1918 / April 15, 1998; w/o Otto McAllister
McDonald, Billy Edward - September 3, 1932 / July 5, 1985; FRC US Army
McDonald, L. Wilma - b/d February 4, 1933; d/o Marie & Walter McDonald, Sr.
McGee, Betty J. Ash - February 7, 1933 / living; m. December 10, 1975; w/o J. D.
McGee, J. D. - March 12, 1923 / October 24, 1989
McKissic, Anna - died November 2, 1909; w/o J. J. McKissack (Black)
McKissic, Creed H. - July 29, 1919 / February 12, 1944; Staff Sgt. 41 Engrs WW II
McKissic Freddie L. - August 31, 1909 / November 20, 1913; d/o Emanuel (Black)
McKissic, J. J. - January 7, 1881 / February 21, 1912 (Black)
Moats, James Cleaston - November 17, 1916 / October 14, 1998
Moats, Letha Hembree - October 8, 1925 / February 22, 1998
Morgan, Andrew J. - March 26, 1886 / October 23, 1945
Morgan, Nora B. - July 6, 1892 / June 6, 1978
No last name, John - Co. B. 9th TN Cav.
Palmer, James - died July 31, 1937; age 17 years, 28 days
Palmer, Sid - March 15, 1889 / February 23, 1945; Pvt. 804 Pioneer Inf
Parker, Ardell G. - December 12, 1920 / unable to confirm death date; Masonic Symbol
Parker, Mary W. - October 27, 1919 / May 22, 1977; w/o Ardell; Eastern Star Symbol
Parks, Beulah L.- 1910 / living; m/ October 15, 1939; Mother; w/o John D.
Parks, Charlie O. - April 16, 1901 / April 8, 1964
Parks, Crintha H. - March 10, 1896 / August 28, 1991
Parks, Fannie A.- d. March 21, 1932; age 6 yrs; same stone / w Raymond, Velma, Gladis, J.M.
Parks, Fannie E. - September 28,1908 / September 22, 1911
Parks, Gladis Elaine - d. March 21, 1932; age 3 years
Parks, Hattie M. - April 28, 1898 / April 13, 1987
Parks, James M. - July 31, 1876 / May 13, 1972
Parks, John D. - 1896 / 1904; m. October 15, 1939; Daddy
Parks, J. M. - d. September 21, 1932; age 6 months
Parks, Julie L. - July 3, 1906 / January 16, 1911
Parks, Oscar T. - September 23, 1884 / May 14, 1929
Parks, Raymond L.- d. March 21, 1932; age 28 years
Parks, Sallie C. - December 19, 1878 / April 17, 1947; w/o James M.
Parks, Velma Wilson - died March 21, 1932; age 47

Ed. note: According to a 1932 Polk County News article, Raymond L. and Velma Wilson Parks and three of their children, Gladis J.M., Fannie, were killed in a 'cyclone' that struck Conasauga. The 8 month old child of Mr. & Mrs. John Henry Greene and Charles Radcliff's daughter were also killed in the storm.

Pippenger, Alice Erline - November 9, 1934; age 12 years, 7 months, 25 days
Pippenger, Carie B. - October 26, 1921 / living; m. October 1946 w/o Ronald A
Pippenger, Clyde - b/d October 19, 1926
Pippenger, Elizabeth L. - April 12, 1922 / living; w/o Tom W.
Pippenger, Emma York - February 4, 1881 / October 1, 1970
Pippenger, Infant - b/d October 19, 1926
Pippenger, Isaac - May 14, 1845 / January 28, 1909 Pippenger, John L. - May 18, 1879 / April 28, 1949
Pippenger, Lake - June 6, 1918 / July 14, 1929; age 11 yrs 1 mo 8 days; (s/o Walter & Tennie)
Pippenger, Mary L. - November 28, 1859 / February 18, 1921
Pippenger, Paul Kinser - June 29, 1916 / November 19, 1973
Pippenger, Ronald A. - January 14, 1921 / August 8, 1985; MMI US Navy WW II
Pippenger, Tennie Kinser - March 25, 1888 / January 3, 1972; w/o Walter Lee
Pippenger, Tom W. - August 13, 1912 / March 30, 1978; TEC 5 US Army WW II
Pippenger, Walter Lee - March 28, 1885 / February 18, 1954; Masonic Symbol
Pippenger, William T. - January 22, 1882 / March 7, 1902
Pirkle, Elijah - March 6, 1800 / July 11, 1888
Pirkle, Ella - April 28, 1802 / July 18, 1889
Pirkle, Sarah Louiza - February 18, 188_ / May 11, 18__
Reynolds, Thomas W. - 1924 / 1999
Rice, Attie B. - March 28, 1906 /April 17, 1995; w/o John C; Mother
Rice, Barbara A. - old marble stone is illegible
Rice, John C. - January 7, 1906 / March 14, 1968; Father
Rice, Tressie J. - November 20, 1878 / September 9, 1977
Rose, Lula Blankinship - May 27, 1868 / June 21, 1941; Eastern Star
Rush, Chester 'Bill' - April 14, 1927 / living; m. July 18, 1952
Rush, Frances Kinser - February 20, 1932 / living; w/o Bill
Rush, Vicki Jawaun "Dern" - May 14, 1955 / March 11, 1991; d/o Bill & Frances
Samples, Tennessee - September 9, 1876 / July 5, 1902
Stephenson, Infant - b/d September 12, 1921; s/o W. W. & Laura Stephenson
Stephenson, Infant - August 19, 1924 / August 23, 1924; inf./of W. W. Stephenson
Stephenson, Infant - b/d March 5, 1928; inf. / o W. W. & Laura Stephenson
Stephenson, Laura Brock, - December 25, 1893 / June 8, 1953; w/o Walter W.
Stephenson, Sarah Brock. - October 17, 1855 / October 7, 1927; age 72 years, 10 days
Stephenson, Walter W. - January 8, 1892 / October 26, 1973
Stinnett, Alfred H. - March 5, 1895 / October 23, 1954
Stinnett, Dolly A. - August 15, 1868 / September 5, 1868; d/o A. R. & Nancy Stinnett
Stinnett, Stella M. - March 6, 1910 / living; w/o Alfred H.
Taylor, J. L. - April 28, 1903 / April 26, 1932
Thomas, C. L. - April 27, 1869 / March 2, 1926
Thomas, Gabriel Lee 'Gabby' - April 26, 1869 / March 2, 1926
Thomas, Francis E. - October 16, 1880 / January 8, 1923
Thomas, Leona Pippenger - July 4, 1904 / November 4, 1974
Thomas, Mary Frances - October 16, 1877 / January 8, 1923; w/o Gabriel Lee Thomas
Toppins, Minerva - August 3, 1828 / December 24, 1909
Wann, Sarah J. J. - January 19, 1859 / February 19, 1859; d/o W. & E. J. Wann
Watkins, Davis - January 9, 1847 / December 26, 1920
Watkins, Ella Tilley - April 16, 1877 / April 6, 1944; w/o John Watkins
Watkins, Jasper N. - March 6, 1875 / August 3, 1947
Watkins, John S. - December 28, 1868 / April 2, 1943
Watkins, Katherine H. - July 27, 1877 / July 9, 1957
Watkins, Rev. Wm. B. - September 15, 1866 / November 28, 1920
Watkins, Rossie E. Prince - March 27, 1878 / October 29, 1917; w/o J. S. Watkins
Watkins, Sarah Prince - September 26, 1867 / August 28, 1955
Watkins, W. R. - July 1, 1832 / February 22, 1894; Co. C 5th TN Mtd. Inf.
Wesfield, Anthony - May 9, 1867 / March 22, 1911 (Black)
Wesfield, Joseph - October 20, 1891 / January 14, 1911; s/o Ed & Sallie Westfield (Black)
Wesfield, Richard A.- November 22, 1912 / October 30, 1941
White, Charlie - July 26, 1886 / July 8, 1918
White, Mamie Lee Cavett - September 13, 1916 / February 15, 1980
Wilson, E. Wilma Haulk - April 3, 1937 / January 8, 1999
Williams, Henry Alexander, Sr. - March 28, 1901 / August 16, 1983
Williams, Henry Alexander, Jr. - December 3, 1925 / May 2, 1981; Son
Williams, Nell Thomas - March 18, 1902 / October 12, 1983; Mother
Young, Charley - August 25, 1885 / September 13, 1910; s/o G. W. & M. J. Young

Unmarked Graves in Smyrna Cemetery
Ashe, Dan -
Blankinship, Infants - Two infants of David E. Blankinship
Samples, James -
Samples, Sarah Adel Blankinship -
Samples, Thomas -
Smith, David -
Smith, Margaret Clemmer - 1st w/o David Smith; 1st person to be buried in Smyrna Cemetery
Smith, Mary Smith Rebecca Dowels - 2nd w/o David Smith
Tate, Adaline - (Black)
Woods, Samuel - (died February 16, 1902)
Young, Clee - killed in a cotton gin
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Stanley Ash compiled a brief history of Smyrna Church in 1973, which included a list of some of the early pastors as follows.

Early Pastors of Smyrna Baptist Church, 1849-1895
Elijah Clayton: 1849 - 1868
J. B. Smith: September 1885 - May 1888
John Norman: 1869 - 1871
W. E. Head: May 1888 - June 1890
A. Johns: 1871 - May 1875
E. J. Deweese: 1892
Martin Isbell: May 1875 - June 1877
W. H. Rymer: 1893
A. Johns: June 1877 - June 1879
W. E. Watkins: 1894
John L. Burns: June 1879 - September 1881
W. H. Rymer: 1895
E. J.Pirkle: September 1881 - September 1885

Charter Members of Smyrna Baptist Church, September 7, 1848

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Cathy
06.07.00